We are currently looking for a Principal Epidemiologist to join our Scientific Data & Insight Function within the Safety and Surveillance group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 2 year fixed term contract/internal move/loan/secondment or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
To deliver effectively on our central mission of protecting public health, we need robust vigilance processes that are able to quickly detect, monitor and evaluate safety signals across the product lifecycle, the ability to critically evaluate the benefit/risk balance of signals of concern and design effective risk mitigations, to communicate effectively to patients and the public and a healthcare system able to implement them. The Safety and Surveillance Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agency’s data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating abilities delivered via the common vigilance platform SafetyConnect.
Safety remains at the heart of all our decision making across the product life cycle. The central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with medical products. In every aspect of this work, we harness the best science, technology, information and professional practice to protect patients in new and impactful ways.
In support of this mission, the Scientific Data & Insight function is responsible for developing expertise in house to support the agency in building a world-class safety and surveillance system. To do this the Scientific Data & Insight function uses state of the art methods in data analytics and also conducts original research in developing novel methods. The function currently consists of four teams, which respectively focus on real world evidence, novel approaches to analyse device data, machine learning for regulatory decision making and epidemiology.
What’s the role?
The Principal Epidemiologist will conduct research, publish high quality research papers and attract grant funding. The role is suitable for an accomplished scientist whose research will advance the ability of the MHRA to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medicines and medical devices. The role will not have any line management responsibilities.
Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, novel approaches to Bayesian methods, causal inference, dynamic benefit-risk assessment, genetic and molecular epidemiology, machine learning and AI, simulation-based benefit-risk models, systems epidemiology, other areas relevant for the safety of medical products.
Key responsibilities:
Conduct high quality research in the wider fields of pharmacoepidemiology or device epidemiology.
Publish research papers in high quality journals.
Build and maintain collaborations with UK and international academic, regulatory, and healthcare partners to enhance the MHRA’s epidemiological capabilities.
Proactively identify and secure external research funding opportunities, preparing high-quality proposals that expand the Agency’s resources and influence.
Mentor colleagues, foster innovation, and contribute to building in-house expertise and capability in pharmacoepidemiology and device epidemiology.
Who are we looking for?
Doctoral qualification (or equivalent advanced experience) in epidemiology, statistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
Demonstrated leadership in solving complex, strategic challenges, using advanced epidemiological methods.
A strong track in high quality research as evidenced by a substantial publication record.
Internationally recognised expertise in at least one of the following domains, with significant influence on practice, policy, or methodological development:
Bayesian methods
Causal inference
Dynamic benefit-risk assessment
Genetic and molecular epidemiology
Machine learning and AI
Simulation-based benefit-risk models
Systems epidemiology
Similar advanced and novel methods
Recognised thought leadership, evidenced by publications, invited keynotes, advisory roles, or leadership of expert working groups, both nationally and internationally.
Proven ability to shape organisational culture and strategic direction, particularly through mentoring, coaching, and fostering innovation.
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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The selection process:
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.
Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: 24 November 2025
Shortlisting date: 27 November 2025
Interview date: From 05 December 2025
Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@mhra.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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